'Safety' - Need or Profession

The concept of Safety is not new for Muslims, it was part of teaching in all eras and by all prophets. Our last prophet (PBUH) guided us for all do and don’ts, we can say without any doubt that he taught us ‘a complete way of life’ (Cradle to Grave).

In 17^th century, cotton mill workers were facing serious occupational health & safety issues like poor working condition & long working hours, causing serious sickness.

Child labor was common as well as long duty hours. Due to outcry of child labor and long duty hours, some basic rules were introduced in 1802, known as The Factory Act 1802. Working conditions such as ventilation for textile workers at workplace were made part of this act and duty hours were limited to 12 hours a day.

Later a movement was started to further reduce the working hours from 12 hours to 10 hours a day, known as ‘10 hours movement’. This movement led to ‘The Factory Act 1833’.

In 1837, first known and documented work-related case for ‘Duty of Care’ was filed by an employee against an employer. The jury decided a compensation of £100 for the worker.

The reason of the above history is to make a point that in all eras, safety was a basic essence to human. They used to work and whenever exposed to work related threats; they knew the controls were required. The consciousness was there in those times as well which led to Occupational Health & Safety rules and regulation.

Here, we need to recall ‘Human Need Theory’. In 1943, a psychologist Abraham Maslow presented a paper ‘A Theory of Human Motivation’ and he highlighted ‘Hierarchy of Need’.

Hierarchy of Need is a simple explanation with emphasis on basic human needs which must be satisfied if we want to become an asset to this society. Before we proceed further let us have a look to ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need’ and Explanation table (refer to Fig-1).

Fig-1

The model reading starts from bottom on triangle (fig-1). In his theory he made it very simple for us, he says we cannot move to the next level unless our first need is not fulfilled. For example: if a person is hungry, thirsty or awake for a long time then his / her first wish to fulfill will be to have some food, water or sleep. He / she will be less concern to ask for job security or safe working environment. If we have stability, secure income then only we will be able to maintain a good relationship. We start to feel good while someone cares for us and we start to have good feeling. The last point is self-actuation. It is important to know that we reach to this stage only when all other four basic needs are met. Once we step in to this level, we can start exploring our potential and start working to polish our capacities, capabilities…etc to achieve the maximum.

‘Malsow’s theory of human need’ makes sense and while we analyze, we find it convincing that ‘Safety’ is one of our basic need and we can not grow and explore ourselves unless this need is not fulfilled.

Referring to the verse (mentioned above), we are blessed with a profession which is a not only a source of income for us but also a source of earning goodness. It’s up to us, how far we want to go now – ‘Sky is the limit’.

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